Death of Palle Lassen a sad loss for world of race walking

6 December 1999MonteCarloIt is with great sadness that the IAAF has learnt
of the death of Palle Lassen. He died on December 2, from complications following major
heart surgery, five days after his wife also passed away. He would have been 80 years-old
tomorrow.

Mr Lassen, one of Denmark's greatest athletics aficionados, was a renowned statistician
(he was Treasurer of the Association of Track & Field Statisticians) but above all was
dedicated to the specialty of race walking. He was first elected to the IAAF Walking
Committee in 1968, and became its Chairman in 1972. His competence and dedication in this
post ensured that he was greatly respected throughout the world. So important was his
contribution to the development of international race walking that he was made an Honorary
Life Member of the IAAF Race Walking Committee in 1991.

In 1976 the IAAF also awarded Mr Lassen the IAAF Veteran Pin, in recognition of his
long service to the cause of world athletics.